Family Matters: The Complete Fourth Season

Jaleel White is back as Steve Urkel—genius nerdy neighbor to the Winslow family—in this 1992-93 fourth season of the sitcom. Although previous seasons usually featured a “very special episode” or two, this time around the series mainly sticks to the slapstick, including Steve and Carl's (Reginald Vel Johnson) stint on American Gladiators to settle a score in the season opener “Surely You Joust”; Steve and Eddie (Darius McCrary) trying to get a dimwitted pal out of the Army in “An Officer and a Waldo”; and Steve's hopes of scoring with his longtime crush, Winslow daughter Laura (Kelly Shanygne Williams), in “Just One Date.” Standouts include “Rumor Has It,” in which a school lothario lies about Laura; Steve and Eddie's first stint on their own in “The Oddest Couple”—their apartment showers them with plaster generated by a nearby L train; and the fantasy holiday switcheroo episode “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Urkel,” which features a guardian angel (T.K. Carter) showing Laura what it's like to be Steve. This season also introduces Michelle Thomas as Steve's attractive new love interest, Myra Monkhouse, who loves smart guys and considers Laura a rival. Featuring guest appearances by Naya Rivera, Tracie Spencer, and Dave Koz, this latest set from the Emmy-nominated series is recommended. (J. Williams-Wood)